The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-09-30
MoTHER-oF-PEARL FISHING.
One of the Most Interesting Industries
Pursued by The Redouins

One of the Most Interesting Industries
Pursued by the Bedouins.
Mother-of-pearl fishing is carried on
all over the Red Sea, from the north
down 70 the Gulf of Alden, but the best
fishing-grounds are in the neighbor-
hood of Suakin, Massowah and the
Farsan Islands. The fishing fleet con-
sists of about three hundred boats.
mostly belonging to the Zobeild Be
doulns, tribe inhabiting the coast be-
tween Jeddah and Yambo. About fifty
belong to Jeddah, and Others to other
localities. They are open boats, Of
from eight to twenty tons burden. with
one lateen sail. The crew varies from
eight to twelve men. There are two
different fishing seasons, one of four
and the other of eight months, and
during these the boats remain almost
constantly at sea, except for few
weeks. The crew, consisting in great
part of black slaves. receives two
thirds of the catch, deductions being
made for their food; the owners of the
boat keep the other third. Accidents
are seldom heard of, and divers are
remarkable for their physical vigor
and robust health. They range
in age between ten and forty,
and the work seems to do
them no harm. The fishing grounds
are in the neighborhood of coral reefs,
where the boats are anchored; the di-
vers then go out in small canoes, spe-
cially imported from the Malabar coast
for the purpose, and begin their work
all round. 1t is necessary that the sea
should be calm, otherwise the shells
can not be seen. For some years past
the negroes have been in the habit of
using old tin canisters, with glass in
the bottom, to enable them to see bet
ter. In the course of the past ten
years the catch has fallen ten to twenty
per cent, but by reason of the in
creased price, good and bad shells have
met with ready sale. The annual
production varies from $4,000 to
$40, 900. During the last season of
four months it reached only $4,000,
against $4,000 to $4,000 in the cor
responding periods of other years.
Jeddah was formerly the sole market,
but on account of the corruption of the
customs officials there the port only re-
ceives about quarter of the catch
now, the rest going to Suakin and
Massowah. Pearls to the value OF
$4,000 to $4,000 are found annually;
but this estimate is uncertain, as
the larger and more valuable ones
are sold secretly. The mother of-pearl
shells are sold at public auction in
Jeddah in lots of about fifty pounds.
Ten years ago all that came on tn,
market at Jeddah was shipped off in
Arab vessels to Suez, whence it was
sent to Cairo. where it was sold. Al
present the greater part is sent to
Trieste, the rest going to Havre and
London. The largest and most perfect
and beautiful shells are purchased by
traders from Bethlehem, who take
them home, and cut and sell them to
pilgrims. Jeddah shells are less valued
in Europe than those of Suakm and
Massowah, because of their yellow
tinge. In an ordinary lot of shells, as
sold in the market, nine per cent will
be large, twenty per cent medium
sized, twenty-five per cent. small
medium, ten per cent. small, twenty
two per cent. dead or cracked, and six
per cent. will consist of impurities and
coralloid marble. Some years since
German attempted pearl-fshing with
feet manned by Greeks, but as the ex-
pertinent was never renewed it is to be
presumed that it was a failure
Vienna P0per.